Senior Practitioner Older People's Mental Health Team

Senior Practitioner (Social Worker) - Older People's Mental Health Team (OPMHT) Location: St Mary's House, Eastbourne (East Sussex County Council) Pay Rate: £40.00 per hour (Umbrella) Hours: 37 hours per week (Full-time) Contract Type: Temporary / Locum About the Role: Are you an experienced, resilient Senior Social Worker passionate about supporting older adults with complex mental health needs and dementia? East Sussex County Council is seeking an exceptional Senior Practitioner to join their dedicated Older People's Mental Health Team (OPMHT) based at St Mary's House in Eastbourne. Working as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary setting in partnership with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, strength-based interventions for older adults navigating complex mental health challenges. This role offers an excellent opportunity to champion person-centred care while providing vital professional leadership within a highly supportive team Key Responsibilities: Complex Casework: Manage a specialist, complex caseload involving older adults with functional mental illnesses and cognitive impairments/dementia. Leadership & Supervision: Provide expert advice, practice guidance, and formal reflective supervision to junior social workers and social care practitioners within the team. Statutory Duties: Lead on safeguarding adult investigations, statutory risk assessments, and complex support planning under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, and Mental Health Act.MDT Collaboration: Work seamlessly alongside health professionals, psychiatrists, OTs, and community partner networks to facilitate safe, integrated pathways. Quality Assurance: Support the Practice Manager in ensuring excellent practice standards and promoting robust, evidence-based team learning. Requirements Professional Registration: Must hold a valid, active registration with Social Work England (SWE). Experience: Proven experience operating at a Senior Social Worker / Senior Practitioner level, specifically within Adult Social Care or Mental Health services. Legal Knowledge: Thorough working knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act (including DoLS / LPS), and the Mental Health Act. Assessments: Strong background in complex risk management, safeguarding, and funding panels. Specialist Qualifications: Being a qualified Best Interest Assessor (BIA) or a warranted Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) is highly desirable, though not mandatory. Mobility: Ability to meet the travel requirements for community-based assessments across East Sussex. What's on Offer? Highly Competitive Pay: £40.00 per hour paid via an approved umbrella company. Stable Hours: 37-hour working week with regular daytime hours. Hybrid Working: Flexible arrangements blending office-based work at St Marys House, community home visits, and remote administration. Supportive Culture: Regular practice-wise management support, complex risk forums, and an inclusive team environment. How to Apply: If you have the experience and leadership skills to excel in this role, please reply directly to this advert with your updated CV